CIRCLE OF LIFE
[Infographic to represent the Circle and the different programs that connect to each]
Intergenerational Care Community
Through all of our engagements we encourage relatives, their loved ones, and care takers to come together in order to develop skills as a family and transfer knowledge. Full spectrum care with multiple generations together in learning spaces to encourage relatives to be together. Some people are battling illnesses such as cancer, we help by providing herbal teas and salves, meals, or a listening ear.
Every event we share food, which is the foundation of health. We also offer herbal medicine as something as simple as a cup of tea can be a catalyst for long-term healing. Prayer is very important in our culture- every time we gather, we pray-for our ears to hear good things, our eyes to see the good things, so that our mind is open to receiving the wisdom from those who are sharing.
Ina Ohochoka (Centering the Mother)
Birth Support Circle Programming
In 2024, we started Birth Support Circle programming for self-identifying indigenous families, support systems, and community members to prepare to start a family, to welcome their new babies into this world, and to offer support in their sacred prenatal and postpartum periods of parenthood. In Lakota lifeways, children are called Wakhanyeza (sacred beings), and we encourage the whole family to attend our birth circles. We want them to feel supported and uplifted during these sacred times of preparation and rest. We also want to remind support systems and community members that every single wakhanyeza is a gift to our people.
In 2026, we started partnering with Sacred Pipe Resource Center to offer circles to our off-rez relatives in Bismarck, ND. We also are hosting Ina Ohochoka (Birth Support Circles) in Mobridge, SD. During these sessions we offer a variety of teachings, have meaningful conversations, create sacred items for the wakhanyeza and families, and, of course, share beautiful and delicious meals together. All supplies are included at every event.
Indigenous Birth, Postpartum & Childbirth Education Support
We encourage our staff to attend continuing education with other trained professionals. Our Birth Support Relatives are certified Indigenous Childbirth Educators through the Center for Indigenous Midwifery. Some of our staff have attended Raeanne Madison, MPH’s Postpartum Healing Lodge. The MWHC team was also trained as full-spectrum doulas with Well Earth Women’s Care.
Birth Support Relatives meet each family where they are at in their journey and offer education on topics such as pregnancy, labor, postpartum and infant care. We offer more intimate one on one support. Relative visits are tailored to fit each family in whatever they are wishing to learn from cultural practices, birth plans, as well as healing protocols. We offer cohort support through Ina Ohochokas, where we encourage families and community members to learn from each other. This allows for relatives to connect with others who may have relatable life experiences.
Hoksichantkiyapi
Baby Welcoming & Birth Ceremonies
Anually we will offer a community Hoksichantkiyapi (public welcoming of baby) ceremony for community members. During this ceremony we will invite families to participate in celebrating their baby’s life by joining the community in a beautiful way, surrounded by family and community members.
We end with a meal and a giveaway to honor the wakhanveza, who are gifting our community with their presence and beauty. These teachings were passed down to our previous Tasha and Alayna by Ashley Garcia in an attempt to breathe life into our babies. After the SIDS epidemic this practice was encouraged to welcome babies spirit with honor as they join our relatives on Earth.
End-of-Life Support Relatives & Cultural Care
We educate families around End of life options to determine preferences that may be culturally valuable during transitions to be with our ancestors. We assist families in caring for their relatives who may be going through hospice care or their families during their time of grief. We find resources to build bridges between the healthcare care system and our relatives in life’s transition to provide support in their overall well-being. We help to plan for how their healing space will look, feel, sound or smell like. This guidance also includes navigating DNR orders and establishing healthcare power of attorneys. We can offer emotional support, light housekeeping, cultural guidance, and nutrition support.
Our staff holds space for families to process and grieve. Beyond personalized care we offer community based education through a series of workshops to help guide relatives through their transition. We also share methods to incorporate comfort care measures into our community members’ lives. We do an annual wiping of the tears ceremony to help relatives heal from their grief.
